Patentable/Patents/US-8516377
US-8516377

Indicating Website reputations during Website manipulation of user information

PublishedAugust 20, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

An aspect of the present invention relates to methods and systems involving receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client computing facility with an item of content associated with a website and presenting an indicator of reputation to a client computing facility attempting to interact with the web content. The indicator of reputation may be based at least in part upon whether an entity associated with the web content seeks to manipulate a user in order to obtain information from the user.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method, comprising: receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments.

Plain English Translation

A method for evaluating website reputations involves monitoring when a user's device tries to access content from a website. When access is attempted, the system displays a reputation indicator to the user. This indicator is determined, in part, by assessing if the website encourages users to subscribe to services that require recurring payments (e.g., subscriptions). The system flags sites pushing such subscriptions as potentially less reputable.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicator of reputation is further based at least in part upon whether an entity associated with the item of content seeks to manipulate a user in order to obtain information from the user.

Plain English Translation

The method described above (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments) also factors in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information. If the site uses manipulative tactics to obtain user data, this negatively impacts its reputation score.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity purports to be an administrator of a different entity.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) includes instances where the website pretends to be an administrator from another organization. This impersonation negatively affects the reputation score.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the item of content associated with the network site is an email purporting to request a password from a user.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) covers situations where the website content is an email that falsely requests a user's password. These password phishing attempts lower the website's reputation.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity unnecessarily requests a credit card number of a user.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) includes cases where the website asks for a user's credit card number when it is not necessary. Unnecessary credit card requests negatively impact the reputation score.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity unnecessarily requests a password of a user.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) includes instances where the website asks for a user's password when it is not necessary for the requested action. Unnecessary password requests negatively impact the reputation score.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity offers an item of consideration in exchange for information of a user.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) covers situations where the website offers something of value (e.g., a free gift) in exchange for the user's information. This exchange impacts the website's reputation score.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity engages in a communication that encourages a user to open an attachment.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) incorporates instances where the website communication encourages the user to open an attachment. This type of communication can negatively affect reputation.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the entity engages in a communication that encourages a user to download a file.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and factoring in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information) incorporates instances where the website communication encourages the user to download a file. This type of communication can negatively affect reputation.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the item of content is a webpage.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations, involving monitoring when a user's device tries to access content from a website and displaying a reputation indicator based on recurring payment subscriptions (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments), applies where the content being accessed is a webpage.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network site presents a link or advertisement to redirect the user to another network site.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations, involving monitoring when a user's device tries to access content from a website and displaying a reputation indicator based on recurring payment subscriptions (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments), applies where the website displays a link or advertisement that redirects the user to another website.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the link is a false error window.

Plain English Translation

The method involving website reputation indicators based on recurring payments and redirection via links or ads (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and the network site presents a link or advertisement to redirect the user to another network site) specifically identifies redirection through a false error window.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the link is a false advertisement.

Plain English Translation

The method involving website reputation indicators based on recurring payments and redirection via links or ads (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and the network site presents a link or advertisement to redirect the user to another network site) specifically identifies redirection through a false advertisement.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the redirection is to a network site with an unfavorable reputation.

Plain English Translation

The method involving website reputation indicators based on recurring payments and redirection via links or ads (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments; and the network site presents a link or advertisement to redirect the user to another network site) covers redirection to a website that already has a poor reputation.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network site is a website.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations, involving monitoring when a user's device tries to access content from a website and displaying a reputation indicator based on recurring payment subscriptions (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments) applies where the network site being evaluated is a website.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network site includes a server.

Plain English Translation

The method for evaluating website reputations, involving monitoring when a user's device tries to access content from a website and displaying a reputation indicator based on recurring payment subscriptions (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments) applies where the network site includes a server.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. A storage device having program instructions stored therein that when executed by a processor perform operations, comprising: receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments.

Plain English Translation

A storage device (e.g., hard drive, SSD) stores program instructions. When these instructions are executed by a processor, they perform the following: the system monitors when a user's device attempts to access content from a website. When access is attempted, the system displays a reputation indicator to the user. This indicator is determined, in part, by assessing if the website encourages users to subscribe to services that require recurring payments (e.g., subscriptions). The system flags sites pushing such subscriptions as potentially less reputable.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The storage device of claim 17 , wherein the indicator of reputation is further based at least in part upon whether an entity associated with the item of content seeks to manipulate a user in order to obtain information from the user.

Plain English Translation

The storage device, which contains instructions for monitoring website access and displaying reputation indicators based on recurring payments (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments), also factors in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information. If the site uses manipulative tactics to obtain user data, this negatively impacts its reputation score.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. A server comprising: a memory configured to store data, and a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, the network analyzer being configured to: receive an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and present an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments.

Plain English Translation

A server comprises memory and a processor. The processor is configured to execute instructions to perform website reputation analysis. The server monitors when a user's device tries to access content from a website. When access is attempted, the server displays a reputation indicator to the user. This indicator is determined, in part, by assessing if the website encourages users to subscribe to services that require recurring payments (e.g., subscriptions). The server flags sites pushing such subscriptions as potentially less reputable.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The server of claim 19 , wherein the indicator of reputation is further based at least in part upon whether an entity associated with the item of content seeks to manipulate a user in order to obtain information from the user.

Plain English Translation

The server system, that monitors website access and displays reputation indicators based on recurring payments (receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a client device with an item of content associated with a network site; and presenting an indicator of reputation to the client device, wherein the indicator of reputation is based at least in part upon whether the network site encourages a user to subscribe to an item or a service requiring recurring payments), also factors in whether the website attempts to manipulate users into giving up their information. If the site uses manipulative tactics to obtain user data, this negatively impacts its reputation score.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

September 15, 2012

Publication Date

August 20, 2013

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Indicating Website reputations during Website manipulation of user information